5 Things You Didn't Know About Squier! ( They Saved Fender) 

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I love Squiers. They're cheap, can mod it to your liking for pickups, and pretty much fulfills Leo Fender's design philosophy for affordable guitars!

My grandma was a Squier, and it is interesting how oblivious she had been to the notoriety of her name! With just a little research, I learned that Victor Squier is my Great Great Grand Uncle (being the brother of my grandmother's grandpa). I would like to add a few details to the name that is Squier. The Squier name actually predates Victor Carroll, to his father Jerome Bonaparte Squier (hence the name J.B. Squier on the original guitars). Jerome Bonaparte was a world class violin maker, commonly referred to as the "American Stradivarius," and he made violins from 1881 until near his death in 1912. Victor learned his trade from his father, but recognizing that violin strings were so expensive because they were only made in Europe, he chose to specialize in making the strings in the USA, which helped make them affordable here. That company then expanded into making many different types of strings for different instruments and, yes, Victor is technically the one who sold the name and the right to manufacture the Squier strings to Fender.

They should have made a Billy Squier Squier Esquire.

When "lawsuit" copies appeared in the 70's, generally speaking here in the UK, we were snobbish about them. Then when we realised that the Japanese guitars were decent, we got snobby about the Korean made jobs. It wasn't really until the late 90's that we actually started getting the message that other countries could make a decent instrument. That sort of brand snobbery still exist, but things have changed so much for the better. Ta.

I had a Squier strat, a few years back. It was in perfect condition. It said Fender on the headstock, with Squier in small letters, but it also said that it was made in Mexico. I regret selling it.

Bought a Squire II strat back in 89. The only thing that has been replaced were the crappy tuners. Still rockin that guitar!

Here’s a Squier oddity. I have a “Jagmaster” Vista series, MIJ in 1996. It has an American standard Jaguar neck, that was apparently shipped over to Japan to kick start production. It’s a SUPERB guitar! 24’ scale and I pulled the “mush-buckers” it shipped with and put in Golden Age P90’s - I call it my “L.P.Jr” killer, and it is! I also own from the Squier Classic vibe series, a Thin line tele, a Jazz bass and a P bass - all just great instruments. Peace

My first guitar was a white Squier strat, purchased in early '84. Has the SQ serial number so assume it was an 83 based on when I bought it. Still have it and would never sell it. Love that guitar!

About 10 years ago Gibson started making the elite line Epiphone in Japan. They were about $1,000. They quickly discontinued them because they were better than the ones they were making in the USA. Because of my procrastination I missed that deal.

I had a black guard Squier Classic Vibe a few years back. I bought it as a back up to my main MIM tele. Low and behold the Squier became my number 1 real quick. Snappy tone, roll the tone knob back a tad and you could get a great sound with an overdriven amp. Very underrated budget guitar.

The Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster is one of the best Jazzmasters out there. Great neck, solid pickups and very affordable. Don't count out a Squier, especially the 80's ones.

I bought my first Squier Strat in 85. I still have it and I swear it plays better than my newer Fender Strat.

"Squier" is actually named after me, Quentin James, they just spell it differently.

Japanese Squiers are some of the best guitars to own. Japan just makes absolute quality instruments. The Classic Vibe line are excellent successors.

I have a ‘91 Squier Strat made in S. Korea. Great tone with nice action. Love to own this sweet Tele too. Thanks for the demo. 👍

I've been modifying Squier's for a while now. With just a little time, pickups and electronics you can make them feel and play like a Fender.

Cool video. I just literally got home from the music store after buying my youngest daughter her first guitar: a Squier Affinity Strat.

When I went to a guitar store two years back I was supposed to find a Squier but I came across a fender Strat from 1996. The electronics were changed but for $300. It was a great deal! I’ve played it ever since.

I have an original JV '62 from 1983. Superb guitar. They also had USA pickups at that time.

Absolutely loving the tone you are getting on this tongue twister Squier Esquire! Great video as always.

Interesting fact - People often think the Squier M77 is a Les Paul copy but its not. It is a copy of a 1955 Guild Aristocrat which was a semi hollow body. Its bigger and wont fit a Les Paul case. Its a fixed neck mahogany guitar and is one of the best guitars I have for tone. it has Duncan Designed pickups originally (jazz neck Sh 2 and a Jeff Beck TB 4 bridge)which were great.

Scott Zimmerman, who was there when Squier/Fender Japan started, is in my Leo Fender Guitar and amp group on FB. I'm going to post a link to this video there and see if he comments on it. Dude is a wealth of Fender historical info. He actually knew Dan Smith, Freddy Tavares, and Leo.

I own a Squier Tele Custom II with P90's. The previous owner gave it a serious overhaul. It has upgraded pickups and pots, as well as a pro set-up, and it's one of the best-playing guitars I have. They might not come off the shelf in perfect adjustment, but you'd be amazed what a good tune-up can do for a Squier.

Thanks Robert, very interesting! I own a Squier pj bass and love it. The only thing I want to change about it is the neck, not because of the quality but I prefer the look of a maple fretboard.

Squier Bullets were American made in 1981 until mid '83 when they were made in Japan and spiraled ever since; for example: both my Squier Strats were made in China ('00 Affinity) and Indonesia ('02 Bullet w/a top-loading hardtail bridge) and to finally answer your question, they are really worth it!

I'm the proud owner of a Squire affinity which I bought brand new in year 2k and still have it to this day having made a number of modifications over the years. Mine is the old "eight hole" scratch plate, not the later eleven hole version.

I own 3 "Interesting" strats. 1- 1983 Squier MIJ copy of 1970s Fender Strat with big headstock, bullet trussrod, and 3 bolt neckplate. 2- 1984 Squier MIJ copy of 1962 Fender Strat, with rosewood slabboard and heel trussrod, 3-ply pickguard. Interesting that the pickguard is 8-hole (not 11 hole) and Gotoh style tuners. This (1984 Squier) is of exceptional quality. The third interesting guitar I own was somewhat of a mystery at first. It's a Fender MIM Stratocaster (1995) with a small "Squier Series" decal at end of headstock. This ended up being made after a fire at the Mexican factory, where US made necks and bodies were used (Its a really nice neck) with 1 ply pickguard and mexican components. The Squier name doesn't mean "Entry Level" as some people think.

This video came at a great time! I just picked up a Squire Paranormal Offset Telecaster yesterday!! Thanks for all the cool info about the Squire brand!!

Awesome video Robert !! Since 03' I have said ALOT of the squier stuff is been underated & now as you said they have jacked the quality up on the stuff to MIM levels.

Thanks so much for making this! I found it really interesting and useful, keep up the good work!

Robert, I can listen to you play for hours and not get bored of it. I love the Squier tele, it sounds fantastic, especially when you are ripping those Zep riffs.

I love all my squier guitars, they have gotten really good now days.

Actually they kept the big Fender little Squire logo with the Korean guitars until the mid 90s. I own a '91 MIK.

I never really thought about where the squier brand came from before and now I know. The history videos are a good addition to the channel 👍

Yes, Achilles Last Stand snippet!!! That was awesome, and IMHO the best Zeppelin song.

Great video as always Robert. Holy smokes, I LOVE your opening jams. Thanks man!

Fender did a similar thing with DeArmond. They were a brand specialized in pickups. Fender bought them, and for a short while at the end of the 90s used the name for a budget brand. The guitars were based on Guild models (another brand owned by Fender), notably the Starfire, a semi-hollow. They were produced in Korea. Today they don't use the DeArmond name anymore, but Squier sometimes makes Starfires.

I have 2 Squier vintage modified Telecaster basses,that play and sound just as good as my Fender American Jazz bass. I recently ordered the Squier Esquire from Sweetwater,and can't wait to play it.

I have two Squire se CSX serial numbers made at the axl plant in China. They are from 2002 one is sunburst the other is white. They are full size same as Fender stratocaster meaning Fender parts fit them. The necks are amazing. I replaced the tuners with graph tech ratio locking tuners and the bridge with super-vee bladerunner bridge.They are both better guitars than any Fender $1500 -$2500 guitar you're gonna purchase from a music store. I paid $99.99 each for them.

My Squier JV 57 was my first guitar, and if I ever have to clear my gear, it will be my last even if I can't play anymore.

I use to own a SQ serial number MIJ squire strat and it was a beast. It was from 1984. Great guitar for the money.

Don't forget the mid 90s Fender "Black Logo" models from Mexico...said "Squier Series" on the ball of the headstock.

A few years ago I picked up a book called 'Squier Electrics - 30 years of Fender's budget guitar brand' by Tony Bacon, published by Backbeat Books in 2012. It is a very interesting read. It has all the major models, plus special runs, plus serial number/factory info info. It was priced at $24.99/£16.95, in a discount book shop, where I paid £7.00 for it.

Squires are great guitars to upgrade and work on. I built my daughter one. Sanded and refinished the head stock and wood burned her name into it.

Back in the late 70,s I worked for a chain of music stores named Music West. Fender had switched to the 3 bolt necks and many of the guitar players that came into the store preferred the made in Japan copies. The Fenders weren't selling. Peavey had just launched their guitar line and many players were moving to them or Gibsons. We had a house brand called Mateo guitars and many people preferred even them to the Fenders.

JV= “Japanese Vintage”. I have a JV pbass and a JV Jazz Bass, paid $100 for the J and $75 for the P, obviously got very lucky as the sellers thought why were just “Squires”, which they are haha. Great basses though I must say.

I have been looking at getting a tele and was pretty set on the classic vibe since there a great bang for the buck and then I see this and now I'm going to get one of these , fantastic sound and a quick pickup change and pretty sure I'd be set

Robert, great info and I have been really thinking about the Squiers. Some complain about the smaller frets, is this something to worry about? Thanks

Love your vids man ♥️ keep it up you’re killin’ it !

Very cool info! Love the Page licks as the ride goes!!!!

I learned something today. Thank you. Great to hear you play.

Awesome video man! Love your channel

I've got a Squier standard strat made in Indonesia, Agathis body, really straight-grained maple neck, rosewood fingerboard. Not sure of the year...maybe 2005-ish. That sucker sets up beautifully, stays in tune and plays like a dream. I replaced all the electronics including Seymour Duncan mini humbuckers. Replaced the nut with a Tusq. Installed fender bent-steel saddles and haven't had a string break in 5 years.I stripped off the thick black plastic paint and changed it to Olympic white. Took off the Squier decal and replaced it with 'Fender Stratocaster' etc. However, in case it ever leaves my hands I wanted to ensure it never got sold as an authentic Fender Strat. So I: 1) Left 2 string trees on the headstock; Strats only have one. 2) left the decal on the back of the headstock 'Crafted by Fender in Indonesia'. Strats were only ever made in 3 countries...US/Japan/Mexico. 3) Left the Squier logo neck plate. I also noticed just recently that this guitar is louder and way more resonant acoustically than my Les Pauls, Suhr or Epiphone. I've heard people rag on Agathis as a tonewood but that's not what my ears tell me.

I’m all Gibson & Epiphone..but I am willing to try this one! Had a Jim Roots with Humbuckers..’ late 90’s Need some single coil action !

VS Squier company started in the late 1800’s as an American Violin company, and he was at one time known as the American Stradivarius. He also pushed his instruments into schools, providing thousands of children with their first violins, violas, and cellos.. their first string making machine was made out of an old foot powered sewing machine.. their strings were used by Leo fender from the very first guitar he made, and then shortly before Leo sold the company to cbs, he was able to acquire the squier company. CBS maintained that company until 75, when they put their name on the strings.

Nice work Robert! Thumbs up for these fantastic guitars. Have you seen footage of Stevie Ray Vaughan playing Texas Flood on a Squier SQ? Seems that he in the eighties already discovered the quality of these fine guitars. Just look for srv-texas flood- Squier on RU-vid.

Wow, never knew the story, I thought the brand was born in the 80's as a budget line for Fender, period. Very interesting

I had an old affinity series strat, the thing sounded ace, the only problem it had was uneven frets.. nowadays I think that the best affordable guitars come from Harley Benton.. I got one of their Les Paul Double Cut Junior style guitars and it blew my mind, I have a couple of videos on my channel.. I could definitely rock that esquier though! Awesome video and thank you for the content!

Wow! That fx you used in the intro, and the tune, was really cool. 👌🎼🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶👏👏😤

I have both an American Standard Strat (EE model made in the USA) and an old Tokai Springy Strat (made in Japan around the same time). I love my USA Strat, but the Tokai plays and sounds incredible.

6:55 those were for the Japanese Export market to other countries. They have another domestic market model that says just the contour body.

What I know /heard: Fender was 'bought back' from CBS, but in doing so they were a company with no assets, no factories. They bought back the name and brand, nothing more. While they were setting up new factories and production, in that transition time they made stuff in Japan (either by shipping over what they had left from inventory or manufacturing it there). MIA strats were a thing again when the new factories were up and running (and I think the factory in Mexico was not long after that, or even a part of this). My guitar that I got from my (late) father and I learned playing on is still my #1 guitar. It's the white one from one of your pictures (cream white, real made-in-germany floyd-rose but with 3 single coils). The floyd-rose just broke some day, so there is a normal 6-screw Fender bridge on it now, and some of the pups got replaced by Seymour Duncan mini-humbuckers.. but it's still my main squeeze :). Fender logo on the headstock but in essence a Made in Japan Squier.. still, got loads of emotional value for me, plays like a dream, is my only guitar that stays in tune all year long and is over 30 years old now.. never going to let it go.

I have a couple of the JV squier Strats and they definitely match or exceed the USA models. I have a Korean Strat as well and that is excellent (pickups upgraded however). In fact all the Japanese Squiers are well worth consideration.

Excellent post, Bob! (If I may call you that. I've had many Bob's in my life!) I just purchased a Sam Ash Squire Arctic White Tele @ $199. +16.shipping. So I'll let someone else win your nice gift to the devoted fellow axeman!

Two things. One, you always have such great tone. Two, my Squier Strat was made in Indonesia. I don't know if it's a good guitar or bad guitar, but I have been playing it since I bought it new in '03. Everything is stock, except the pickups, which I replaced with DiMarzio HS3s.

I have a 1984 Fiesta Red Japanese E series Squier Strat. Its my favorite guitar to date and I could put it against almost anything tone wise. E series came after JV, JV being in 1982-83.

One of my favorite guitars and the one I probably play the most is my modded and upgraded Squire '51 which is the only Squire that isn't a copy and was built from the ground up...

I bought jazz bass Classic Vibe 70 in black a week ago. I had plenty of Fender USA basses and several G&L s from earliy 80. This Squire jazz bass I one of the best basses I ever had if not the best.

I have a Korean Fender Squire and it has a USA bridge tremolo set up and the body is ash and maple neck rosewood fingerboard

My main guitar I use is a squire and it’s amazing for grunge and punk

hell yes. my main gigging guitar is a 1997 protone series squier strat. it's a great guitar. I've also had a classic vibe 60s strat that was a great guitar as well.

I'm so glad I got myself a Squire Classic 50's Tele: Tried to get myself a Fender tele but, for some reason, couldn't find a single one around me in a traditional all-single-pickups configuration. Why did nobody tell me that Squires weren't shit anymore?

From Leo: Good history, I appreciate your work.. I actually have seen the old Squier string company building in Michigan where CBS bought that brand name. The Squier line has many levels that seems to confuse people. Currently the Squiers have a $150 level, that are playable but clearly lower tier. The $250 level are pretty good, and the $350 and up line really are very good. I do not believe that USA Fenders are priced directly to the manufacturing cost, but the price reflects what the market is willing to pay for the prestige. .

I believe that Squier actually started making violins first; then, went on to making strings for violin, guitars, etc. Great video. Thank you for the history.

A year ago I bought a (chinese) Squier Contemporary strat. I am very impressed by it. The playability is as good as my more expensive guitars of $1500 or more 👍🏻

Hey Robert cheers from NY! Thanks for the informative vid, much enjoyed. :-)

While USA made Fender guitars had been devalued by CBS production cost savings, some employees of Fender mooted the idea of utilising one of the Japanese factories *Fujigen* (who were making excellent 'Greco' branded copies. Fender Japan was born in 82. Fender USA on receiving samples of the now in production Made in Japan 'Fender' 50s series and 60s series, AKA 'JV' series (Japanese Vintage), realised that they simply could not compete full cost/quality. It is worth noting Fender USA was in the process of being sold, so almost no money was being put into Fender USA. A decision was made to strip the Fender logo from Japanese production in favour of the former string company 'Squier'. Unfortunately Fender Japan had almost finished production of the 50s and 60s series. A compromise was made and Fender logo'd guitars could be produced and sold to the Japanese market, any as yet unbranded guitars to be branded 'Squier' for sale in Europe. There was a brief run of Mexican made Squiers, which I think came about due to Fender USA breifly not manufacturing any guitars while the sale of Fender was completed. What was to by the Made in Japan 70s JV series, was hastily changed into the SQ series, early runs had already been produced so again both Fender for the Japanese market and then later Squier branded versions. I own one of the Fender branded ones SQ007878. Fender/Squier Japan then randomly launched an E series of Squiers, followed, confusingly by their A series, then B, C, D jump to F. In an attempt to lessen the brand Squiers production was switched to Korea, but again production was high but parts/electronics weren't as good as the MIJ guitars. With competition in Europe at a high with the *Marlin* brand of guitars taking a big bite out of profits, Squier production was returned to Japan. But with MIK Squiers still in production too and some Indian made Squier II's (not as good quality), it was important for MIJ Squiers to be easily identified, and thus the now fabled MIJ Squier 'Silver Series' was born. Worth noting any MIJ Squier with a silver logo is in effect a Silver Series. Ending production in *95*. By which time Fender Japan was recognised in it's own right, and Squier production went on the walkabout once more. PS: I love those MIJ Fenders and early Squiers. Of the modern era the Classic Vibes are getting ever closer, but if you ever get the opportunity to play or own an 82-87 or 91-95 MIJ Fender/Squier you will see why they are so loved - the earlier the better is the rough rule! That said, my first guitar was a 1993 MIJ silver series and I think it is probably the best/most characterful guitar I have owned to date... but the journey continues! :)

It's amazing how many professional guitarists have a guilty pleasure squier that's they're favourite guitar but don't use it due to other company endorsements.

I picked up a 90's squire strat and have only upgraded the electronics. It's as heavy as tank, but damn if it didn't just feel right after getting it setup.

Thanks for the info, I had no idea Squier pre dated Fender nor that Epiphone pre dated Gibson!!! Great playing as always 🤘🎸🎶

My main guitar has been a 70s reissue Squier Telecaster Deluxe that i added a Bigsby to for the last 3 years... I'll never put this guitar down, i love it too much

Loved this video! I never knew about squire's history. I was always told squire isn't fender, they are just licenced to make them. Thanx for the education bro 🤘

I have a Fender Squire from 1991. It is different than most Squires I have seen as it has a Floyd Rose and an HSH setup. I did some research and found out that Fender either had them made or license the design from Ibanez. It was basically an Ibanez Saber. From what I had read (not sure if its true) is that during the late 80's and early 90's there was an explosion of "Metal" guitars like B.C. Rich, Jackson, Kramer and ESP but Fender really didn't have a "Metal" guitar to compete. So they basically licensed the Ibanez Saber and labeled it as a Squire. It is an amazing guitar with a very unique paint design. It has a great sound and a Ibanez RG style neck.

I personally prefer Squier over Epiphone, specially the classic vibes

That guitar sounds amazing. It's so funny you put this video out today, because this morning I was playing my Squier Strat and my wife asked me about Squier vs. Fender and I said "Uhhh, I don't really know the story, but that would be interesting to learn." Now I know! Cheers.

I always love your tone on single coil pu , p90 strat or Tele pu , your tone screams!!

I am SO envious of your hair Robert. Tell Stine to wash his too okay? Nice replica.

Cool video. Good info. In the 70s you might as well say CBS. That's who owned Fender since the late 60s. At that time it was all about mass production and Marketing $$$$. Love your content Robert ❤️

Kanda Shokai, the owner of the Greco brand, has a share in Fender Japan. Fuji Gen made them. So, a Japanese JV or SQ Squier is basicaly a Greco with some Fender approved parts and a Squier label.

I got a few Greco guitars. A strat and a Les paul. Looking to import another Greco strat from Japan soon as they are so good !!

I play a LPB Squier Classic Vibe Jazz bass (James Johnston artist model), and I've had mates with USA fenders ask to play it live instead. Just a true quality instrument

Loved the section you played from Presence.

Awesome as always Robert

Sounds brilliant I might have to buy one

Have one that I was so impressed with. Installed a maple neck on it and the rest is success...

I bought my first tele squier in 1985 , my current guitar for the last 20 years is a squier strat, the neck is so stable , never seen the inside of a guitar case been dropped on the headstock and the real only issues would be the tuners. In 1987 I part traded it for another guitar I got what I paid for it .

Wow... After watching this, I'm so glad I ordered an Affinity Telecaster as my new guitar~ Can't wait to hold her!!

Recently got my first Squire a 60s classic vibe thinline Tele. I've had many Fenders but the only one I have left is a Nashville Tele for a Strat style I have a G&L Legacy. The Squire is very nice but the one thing I don't like about it is the neck pickup if you have any gain or volume it squeals switch to the bridge and nothing. So that needs to be addressed other than that it's a great instrument and a good deal.

The 1978 -1979 Tokai ST-80 springy sound Stratocaster was way better than anything Fender was doing at the time. It was a copy of the pre CBS guitars. As you said Japan saved fender it woke them up.